ANN ARBOR -- Michigan seniors Frank Clark and Jake Ryan are on the radar as two of the nation's top defensive players in 2014.

Clark, a defensive end, and Ryan, a linebacker, were included on the 2014 Chuck Bednarik Award watch list released Monday. The Bednarik Award is presented annually to college football's defensive player of the year.

The watch list, compiled by the Maxwell Football Club, consisted of 76 players. Ten, including Clark and Ryan, came from the Big Ten. Three of last year’s semifinalists for the Bednarik Award -- Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley, Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and USC defensive end Leonard Williams -- are candidates for the 2014 award.

Clark recorded 43 tackles, 12.0 for a loss, in 13 games as a junior at U-M. The Cleveland native added 4.5 sacks and finished as a second team All-Big Ten selection last season. In his career, Clark has accumulated 78 tackles, including 21.5 for loss with 6.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, one interception and seven pass breakups.

Ryan was an All-Big Ten linebacker in 2012, recording a team-high 88 tackles, 16.0 for a loss, and was expected to be among the nation's top linebackers in 2013. Instead, his junior season was derailed by an ACL tear suffered in the spring.

Ryan missed the first five games of 2013 before returning to record 30 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, over the final eight games of the season.

Michigan coach Brady Hoke announced in February that Ryan, now a fifth-year senior, will shift from strong-side to inside linebacker in 2014.

In 34 career games (29 starts) at linebacker and defensive end, Ryan has registered 155 tackles, including 31.5 for loss, with 7.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and four pass breakups.

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced Nov. 3, with the three finalists unveiled Nov. 24. The winner will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show broadcast live on ESPN on Dec. 11.

Brendan F. Quinn covers University of Michigan basketball and football. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on Wolverines hoops. He can be contacted at bquinn@mlive.com